Wisdom from the Heart ~ Page 3

“The most beautiful people are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. Beautiful people do not just happen.” ~ Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

If you are open to receive, the loving kindness that you give to others returns to you amplified. You flow to many and then many flow back to you. And the purity of your being as reflected in the selfless love that you have shared in your life, supports you in the transition to your next life.

Accompanying article:Pivoting Away From Pain ~ by Gabriella Kortsch, Ph.D.
Beautiful because having suffered themselves, they have learned humility and courage, and can now feel for others in like predicaments. Life’s inevitable disappointments, broken hearts and lost dreams will, if you allow them, make you bitter, resentful and angry. Or you may learn from your experiences in such a way that you grow more forgiving, grateful, wise, compassionate and happy.

“Depending upon the kind of person you are, you will attract similar energies around you, and others will reciprocate with similar energies. Be kind, compassionate and empathetic so you can attract kindness, compassion and empathy in return. Spread love and enjoy being loved back!” ~ Sunetra Basu

If you are open to receive, the loving kindness that you give to others returns to you amplified. You flow to many and then many flow back to you. And the purity of your being as reflected in the selfless love that you have shared in your life, supports you in the transition to your next life.

Accompanying article:Reiki Healing ~ by Sunetra Basu
Reiki healing significantly enhances and expedites the process of recovery, and boosts the body’s immune system. Regular Reiki healing helps cure pain and ailments we suffer from in daily life, reducing both the duration and the intensity, and protecting against many more! Spiritual development and a stronger intuition are the other benefits of Reiki healing that come along naturally as one progresses along this path.

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” ~ Zig Ziglar

Provide what people want and naturally, they will make exchanges with you for that value.

“The number of times I succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times I can fail and keep on trying.” ~ Tom Hopkins

Most people that succeed big-time will tell you that a lot of water passed under the bridge since they started. We need to learn from our past mistakes and make the necessary course corrections, and eventually the time will be right.

Accompanying article:The Joy and Power of Small Steps ~ by Philip E. Humbert
A great life is no accident, and it doesn’t happen overnight. A great, balanced and satisfying life is built day- by-day, over time, with persistent action. It’s built with some consistent trial-and-error and even more trial-and-success!

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Best to live your life based on what you truly want, then, instead of conforming to the expectations of others or trying to impress them. Then you will be inspired and most likely achieve both success and happiness.

“The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear.” ~ Brian Tracy

Love always rules over fear because it reflects our true nature and power, and also attracts support from others and the universe.

Accompanying article:The Power of Discipline ~ by Brian Tracy
Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.

“A real decision is measured by the fact that you’ve taken a new action. If there’s no action, you haven’t truly decided.” ~ Tony Robbins

Of course, fear and doubt prevent action, but a real decision has overcome those.

Accompanying article:One Way to Get Past Many Fears ~ by Joyce Shafer
How many ways might you make a positive difference in your personal, professional, or vocational life if the care outweighed the scare? What kind of difference might you experience at the inner level because of this? How might how you feel about you be different? How might your life be different?

“A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It’s the testing point of our character and competence.” ~ Stephen Covey

Do we put it off, let someone else deal with it, take the easy way out? Or do we have the guts and clarity of thought to take responsibility, to do what’s right and succeed?

Accompanying article:If You Want to Move Forward, You Have to Kick Some Buts ~ by Joyce Shafer
“Buts” ask us to revisit our intention and commitment. If we say we want something “but…,” do we really want it, or want it enough? Why do we want it? Who do we want it for? If it’s not for us, if it’s not our sincere personal want, we’ll feel stuck at some point, because we’re thinking and feeling and attempting to plan in opposing directions.

“Trust that still, small voice that says, this might work and I’ll try it.” ~ Diane Mariechild

Find that spark of love in you that isn’t bothered by fears and cultivate a fire of inspiration.

Accompanying article:Understanding the Voice in Your Head ~ by Joyce Shafer
The people I know who are perpetually unhappy and upset have in common a voice in the head that seldom seems to get quiet. Their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual lives are subjects, that is, in servitude to the voice of the ego’s negative identity.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today to make a new ending.” ~ Maria Robinson

The past has passed, it doesn’t matter... it’s all about the present moment and its infinite potential in your hands.

Accompanying article:31 Lessons I Want to Teach my Son before I Die ~ by Ken Wert
I was thinking the other day about the man I hope my son will one day be. I was imagining him with the qualities I hope he acquires. A sense of urgency swept over me, to be sure the lessons are taught while I’m still here to teach them. This is the result...

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.” ~ Mike Murdock

If you’re not willing to make a daily change, you may like the idea of improving your life but don’t really want to take responsibility and actually do it. So clarify your reasons for doing it, develop a new positive habit and leave the past behind.

Accompanying article:Procrastination Is A Message ~ by Joyce Shafer
You can make yourself do it, but all you do is carve out a mediocre life by making yourself do stuff you don’t want to do. What you want to do is find the reason that you want to do it, or don’t do it.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ~ Jesus Christ (John 8:32)

The essential truth that will set you free is... well, that’s for each of us to realize, through inner knowing. It’s heart-felt; to read the same thing in words sounds simplistic and makes little difference.

Accompanying article:Discover Infinite Possibilities In The Zero Point Field ~ by Victor Da Ponte
We are innately connected to our own pool of infinite possibilities. We can decide what we want to download from this infinite realm of realities, thereby deciding our own “fate” and life course. A large part of realizing this amazing new connection consists of first clearing your false beliefs about hardship, unnecessary sacrifice and poverty.

“The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.” ~ John F Kennedy

We might like to believe myths (widely accepted untruths) - then we can conform and share - but that doesn’t mean they’re true.

Accompanying article:A Formula For Trusting Your Intuition ~ by Judith Orloff
Now I want you to start listening. Really listening. I guarantee you’ll start making smarter choices. Why? You’ll be operating from a spot inside that’s juicy, core-felt, authentic -- not from an impulse to conform or disown your strength. You won’t be seduced by what may look good, but betrays your gut. Intuition is a truth detector.

“Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Removing the cobwebs is easier said than done, of course. So much invested in those old beliefs.

Accompanying article:The Fear of Being Duped ~ by Dr. Margaret Paul
I have found in my work with clients that the fear of being duped or taken advantage of is often in the way of being loving to themselves and others. They are so afraid of being taken advantage of that they close their heart, keeping their walls up to protect themselves from the possibility of being duped.

“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ~ George Orwell

Realizing a truth that before was obscured can really open the floodgates to change, which is why the establishment status quo goes to such lengths to cover up the truth of things, to protect their investments.

Accompanying article:Thinking Makes It So ~ by Philip E. Humbert, PhD
There is great wisdom in the idea that “we become what we think about most of the time.” The human brain is a goal- seeking, problem-solving machine, and the things we think about, focus on, and worry about inevitably shape our destiny. We all know this, and yet most of us completely fail to see (or seize) the opportunity.

“The truth is incontrovertible; malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.” ~ Winston Churchill

The truth is what actually is, end of story. That can be perceived a million ways, through all kinds of filters and from different angles, but it remains as it is.

Accompanying article:Are You Using Meditation to Escape From Life? ~ By Craig Hamilton
Meditation empowers you to face truth and reality without hiding. Practiced properly, meditation will leave you able to relinquish unhealthy attachment and grasping, yet not lose the engagement that makes you productive, creative and generative.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ~ Mark Twain

Kindness - compassion - is soul to soul, so it’s telepathic.

Accompanying article:Humiliation: No Way to Teach ~ by Linda Sapadin
Some people humiliate, thinking they are being kind. But they couldn’t be more misguided. If you’ve been exposed to the debilitating effects of humiliation, it’s time to rectify the damage that has been done. Here’s what you must do...

“Anger is like a storm rising up from the bottom of your consciousness. When you feel it coming, turn your focus to your breath. Breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body. Then look at, or think of, the person triggering this emotion: with mindfulness, you can see that they are unhappy and suffering. You can see their wrong perceptions. You’ll feel motivated by a desire to say or do something to help the other person suffer less. This means compassionate energy has been born in your heart. And when compassion appears, anger is deleted.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

When someone won’t listen or refuses to see your point of view, or just doesn’t care, then you can get angry... or you can recognize their right to be themselves and let it go. One way, you suffer, the other way you remain your mindful self. Real-life meditation.

Accompanying article:Meditate Your Way Through Anger ~ by Ed and Deb Shapiro
Meditation not only invites us to witness anger, but also to get to know and make friends with ourselves. It gives us a midpoint between expressing anger and repressing it, a place where we can be aware of our feelings and not be swept away by them. Meditation is not going to make all our challenges go away but it does enable us to rest in an inclusive acceptance of who we are.

“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” ~ R. I. Fitzhenry

The purpose of education should be to encourage curiosity and creativity, not to destroy them, turning the victim into a slave of passive entertainment. Those in this state need to find their passion and start taking action, to take responsibiity and make a difference.

Accompanying article:How to Cure Boredom Forever ~ by Ken Wert
Fill your life with meaning and purpose, with service and adventure, with introspection and creativity, with spontaneity and adaptability, appreciation, curiosity and action, and life will hardly slow down long enough to feel bored ever again.

Attachment to an outcome that just isn’t happening, maybe can’t possibly happen, is very stressful. That can lead you through the chain of emotional states, though anger, fear and grief, to apathy where you just give up. The alternative is acceptance, where you play and enjoy the game, so to speak, but are not painfully attached to the outcome.

Accompanying article:10 Ways To Snap Out Of Apathy ~ by Barrie Davenport
Apathy fosters secondary emotions like shame, guilt, self-loathing, and low self-esteem. And that creates the slippery slide toward depression. So while you still have your wits about you, focus your remaining energy like a laser on snapping out of apathy. Here are some suggestions...

“Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?” ~ Mary Manin Morrissey

In releasing we learn to accept emotions, to experience them (in place of suppressing) and to realize they are our creation. Then when it is appropriate, we can let them go. This is quite different from identifying with emotions and embracing them, feeling “I am angry” integral with the ego. There’s no mindfulness in that and it is far from awareness of our true self, that is always loving.

Accompanying article:If ~ by Edwin Harkness Spina
The Bhagavad Gita is a classic Hindu scripture, considered to be the distillation of the Veda’s ancient wisdom. Noted Indian historian, Khushwant Singh, recently referred to Kipling’s poem as “the essence of the message of The Gita in English.” Let this poem inspire you to eschew identifying with the temporal emotions that come and go, and instead, EMBRACE your true self.

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.” ~ Albert Einstein

We’re so influenced by the cultural trance and conforming to expectations of others, and tied to our own safe solutions and fixed ideas, and suppressing of true feelings that conflict, so that contacting life directly with our soul becomes rare. But we can change that.

Accompanying article:The Method to Immortality ~ by Raymond Phelan
Awaken within to one’s eternal cosmic nature – to your own inner Christ, your higher self; to “present moment awareness” leading to your inner “sermon on the mount” divine revelation status; thereby fulfilling man’s destiny of made in the image and likeness of God; that is, to know – in consciousness – the innately present transcendent within you; thereby expressing His pure love and understanding daily in your life.

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” ~ Swedish proverb

Accept what is or do something about it. But worry is a huge waste of emotional energy and usually empowered by thought distortions such as intolerance, exaggeration, generalizing, pessimism, and so on.

Accompanying article:Mind Transformation ~ by Raymond Phelan
Health-wise the mind-body state is a reflection of the nature of your habitual thought stream. The body is the physical expression of your silent thinking – the sum ingredients of your mental diet. Toxic thought patterns are similar to mental fat. Thus, toxic, negative thought patterns become like meals of regurgitated lard: leftovers of unattended thought cooking, the thought sludge which you could be digesting over and over in your life. How tasty is your meal?

“In loving ourselves, we allow the feeling to generate within us and then we can share it to everyone and everything around us! That which we send out, returns to us in greater measure.” ~ by Harold W. Becker

Karma, not such a threatening thing after all, instead an opportunity.

Accompanying article:May 1st - Global Love Day
We are one humanity on this planet. All life is interconnected and interdependent. All share in the Universal bond of love. Be a part of it. Spread the word. Share the love.

“There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.” ~ by Denis Waitley

There’s no point banging your head against a wall. What you resist persists even more, so if you don’t want to suffer, accept what is as it is. Or you have another choice... if you can see a way then take responsibility for making it better, the best you can. That’s not complaining about it but doing something constructive. Life gets better this way, and simpler.

Accompanying article:Examining Your Habits ~ by Raymond Phelan
Merely plodding along on the daily conveyer belt of societal or peer expectation in a blind, haphazard, robotic-like manner is an abdication of personal responsibility and consciousness development through undisciplined behaviour. Abdication is when peace, harmony, and love, through natural means, are not being sought and established in your daily life.

“This above all, to thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” ~ by Shakespeare

If you are true to yourself then your integrity is guided by love, and everybody benefits from that higher consciousness, it’s win-win all around.

Accompanying article:Preface to Transforming Your Life ~ by Raymond Phelan
The book sets out to show how to achieve without struggle, the spiritual full mind capacity for a more noble and fulfilling life. It aims at helping you first identify your own particular life situation and how your state of mind – the causes of suffering – came about in the first place and how to permanently eliminate this subconscious conditioning from your mind. It sets out all you need to understand and put into practice so you can achieve abundance in whichever field you choose to express abundance.

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.” ~ by Sarah Ban Breathnach

The very best way to bring good things into your life is to be grateful for the abundance that you already have. See the exercise at Love is All You Need.

Accompanying article:Adopting a Childlike View of the World ~ by Tomas Tapia
Have you ever thought about how much easier things seemed when you were a child? Logically, that doesn’t make sense! After all, children have fewer skills, freedom and choices than adults have. Yet in an intuitive sense, it totally makes sense. Children have a wonder about their world and willingness to be aware of all that is around them.

“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” ~ by Albert Schweitzer

For a vision or dream to be inspiring and energizing, it needs to be what we really want. Not something designed to please others or to fulfill their expectations. The incredible thing here is that what we actually want, what is true to our highest aspirations, what is an expression of the true nature of our consciousness, is always an expression of unconditional love.

Accompanying article:Which Is It for You: To Be or to Become? ~ by Joyce Shafer
If you aren’t clear about and dedicated to your “Why,” that is, why YOU (no one else) want to become something, you can’t get there from here. You’ll start and stop, stall out, and may give up altogether. Maybe it really isn’t your Why, after all, which might explain your lack of enthusiasm and dedication.

“In order to acquire anything in the physical universe, you have to relinquish your attachment to it. This doesn’t mean you give up your intention to create your desire, and you don’t give up the desire. You give up your attachment to the result.” ~ by Deepak Chopra

Attachment in this sense is not being able to be happy without something. “I can’t live without you.” It’s a negative, possessive energy. Positive, loving feelings attract what you want. Telepathic influences on others and their resulting actions cause events to occur and things to appear as if by magic or synchronicity. But it’s not really magic, it’s cause and effect. Spirit works on matter through mind and actions. Real action needs to be taken to manifest real things.

Accompanying article:How to Become a Manifesting Master ~ by Jafree Ozwald
Manifesting is the science of attracting what you want into your life with effortless ease and joy. Based on the law of attraction which states “like attracts like,” and through the power of placing your attention on your intention, you can learn how to effortlessly receive anything you can imagine.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” ~ by Buckminster Fuller

A crystal clear vision inspires and energizes the path of least resistance to your goal. Your current abilities and having are irrelevant to you being able to start creating; that’s where you’re going and you now - with that empowering vision - have the energy to work through any barriers, and acquire any necessary skills and resources along the way.

Accompanying article:When Will Enough Ever Be Enough? ~ by Joyce Shafer
Any form of not-enough thinking usually puts us into a scarcity mindset. And this bumps right into Law of Attraction’s “like attracts like.” This mindset invites all manner of “like” into our lives: more fearful scarcity thoughts that feel as though they’re actually happening in that very moment (because our body doesn’t know they aren’t), more scarcity experiences, more of the very things we don’t want more of, and especially, don’t want to feel.

“Being responsible for your thoughts and actions is what I call spirituality. Your thoughts and dreams will provide for you a rich, meaningful and abundant life; this is the Law of Attraction at work. It will enable you to create the map of your life’s journey.” ~ by Ton Pascal

The Law of Attraction, “like attracts like,” is the principle of spiritual connection. You envision the reality you want to create, as if it is in the now... this process gives the feeling that what you want is achieveable, desirable. You feel abundant, and like attracts like. Naturally you participate in the creation and others support you. Synchronicities occur. That’s creating from the spark of God that you are.

Accompanying article:The Gift of a Brick ~ by Ton Pascal
God didn’t promise us days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

“Curiosity is a willing, a proud, an eager confession of ignorance.” ~ by S. Leonard Rubinstein

To accept that we still have things to learn and to do - and to wonder what those things are - is the foundation of personal growth.

Accompanying article:It’s Not About You: Tips on Widening Your Perspective ~ by Zoe Weil
If you’re someone who feels you lack confidence or could use more, or know someone who feels this way, notice that when doing something interesting, engaging, or relaxing, confidence isn’t a concern. So when is it an issue? Any time there’s concern about what others will think about you.

“If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.” ~ by Raymond Immon

Walking connects you with your body and with the present time environment; it shifts gears toward the right brain and its intuitive connection with inner knowing.

Accompanying article:Be Your Own Authority - by Owen K Waters
If you’re someone who feels you lack confidence or could use more, or know someone who feels this way, notice that when doing something interesting, engaging, or relaxing, confidence isn’t a concern. So when is it an issue? Any time there’s concern about what others will think about you.

“We awaken in others the same attitude of mind we hold towards them.” ~ by Elbert Hubbard

Genuinely be happy to meet others and they will likely fall into step and be as happy to meet you.

Accompanying article:What Confidence Is and Is Not - by Joyce Shafer
Within you is all the insight you ever need to reach wise decisions about every challenge that you ever face. No one on the planet knows more than you about your needs, your situation and your potential to find joy in all of the aspects of your life.

“The questions are always more important than the answers.” ~ by Randy Pausch

Questions have many answers for one thing, and they remain a question provoking you to open your mind until at last you perceive the truth. So keep asking and listen to your inner knowing above all. You know it’s getting near the truth when it starts to align with love. Even when it does it has the big question mark that is the wonder of God.

Accompanying article:Vibrant Love ~ by Harold W. Becker
Have you ever stopped long enough to question your reality or that of the world around you? Think for a moment: is what you are experiencing real or just a limited view of a much larger picture? How do you act and react to daily situations? What limiting thoughts or negative emotions do you carry that create the difficulties you experience each day? How many times do you listen within to your own thoughts and feelings about life rather than reacting or responding to outer suggestions and conditions?

Further article:Bringing Meaning to Life ~ by John T. Goltz
For eons, people have asked themselves the question “what is the meaning of life?” For me, the simplest answer is “unconditional love.” But what does that really mean and how does that help in day-to-day existence? How can we apply that understanding to our present state of living on this planet?

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” ~ by Albert Einstein

Facts are static when viewed alone; they come to life when aligned with a vision, creating new possibilities.

Accompanying article:The Secret to Igniting your Ultimate Creative Capacity ~ by Jafree Ozwald
Success is not about luck or lucky genes; it’s about learning appropriate skills, then using them to create the life you truly want. I’ve often written that a great life is actually easier than living a complicated, confusing or mediocre life, and I’m convinced it’s true. Keep it simple. Keep it focused. Play by the rules and learn to win the game of life.

“We are put on this planet only once, and to limit ourselves to the familiar is a crime against our minds.” ~ by Roger Ebert

Playing safe is not to play the game of life at all. And not to stretch the mind at all is to allow it to decay.

Accompanying article:The Four Engines of Life-Long Success ~ by Philip Humbert
Most people believe that there are only a few gifted creative individuals born in this world, while the rest of us unlucky folks tend not to be so creatively endowed. The truth I’ve found is much more empowering and radical. I’ve discovered a technique that that enables a person to access a limitless resource of creative juice that will fuel them forever, helping them to access the power they need to manifest anything their heart desires.

“I believe that all clear-minded people should remain two things throughout their lifetimes: curious and teachable.” ~ by Roger Ebert

The two essential qualities of conscious evolution.

Accompanying article:Seven Ways to Accelerate Your Evolution ~ by Craig Hamilton
It’s no secret that the ego is a major obstacle for any of us who are attempting to live a conscious, awakened life, because the human interior hasn’t caught up with the complexities and opportunities of modern life. Although humankind has evolved in many remarkable ways, we remain driven by ancient, outmoded software driving impulses that long ago ceased to be appropriate or necessary.

“A truly strong woman will choose a stong man who disagrees with her over a weak one who goes along.” ~ by Roger Ebert

Same the other way around too. But strong also means a generous listener, not a big ego.

Accompanying article:Are You Too Nice? ~ by Joyce Shafer
Being nice can be relaxing, as long as it’s genuine, that is. False niceness isn’t nice at all, nor does it feel good the way genuine niceness does. It’s better to go for politeness based on empathy than false niceness. Genuine empathy and false niceness are both energies that will be picked up on by the recipient. The first one creates connection; the second one does not and cannot, and may, in fact, create more conflict.

“It is human nature to look away from illness. We don’t enjoy a reminder of our own fragile mortality.” ~ by Roger Ebert

Fortunately some people don’t turn their backs to others in need, as they have enough compassion to overcome that barrier. It’s equally important that we take responsibility for our own health and start to implement changes in our habits that need to be made; time will catch up with us if we take the path of denial.

Accompanying article:Get Real About What You Can Actually Expect of Yourself ~ by Stephanie Marston
The truth is, you have to come first, at least some of the time. I know this probably makes you uncomfortable since it goes against everything you’ve been taught. Yet, the reality is that it’s only to the extent that you love and care for yourself that you’re truly able to love and care for others.

“I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization.” ~ by Roger Ebert

Preceded by communication and followed by understanding, resulting in compassion. Caring about others is the basis of social behavior. It’s of mutual benefit and in my opinion should be the number one quality fostered by education. Certainly reading the best novels offers insight into others’ minds, far more so than films and TV.

Accompanying article:We’re All Doing The Best We Can... ~ by Mike Robbins
When I remember that we’re all doing the best we can given whatever tools and resources we have, and the circumstances and situations we’re experiencing, it usually calms me down and creates a sense of empathy and compassion for the people I’m dealing with and for myself.

“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.” ~ by Dale E. Turner

It’s never too late... to create your masterpiece, to join in love, to invent the unimagined, to explore and discover, to express your true self.

Accompanying article:Destiny is Variable ~ by Owen K Waters
Destiny is an influence that comes from your inner plan. There is nothing absolute about your destiny. It’s a pressure which constantly seeks the best route to unfold into manifestation.

“It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey.” ~ by Wendell Berry

Step outside of your safe space and you tend to be a bit lost, but that’s where the action is. It’s all down to you, what you make of the opportunity, which direction you choose to go. Enjoy exploring and learning; then there will be no room for fears to enter your new space. See which new possibilities excite you the most and remember, always act from love and you can’t go wrong.

“To set up what you like against what you dislike - this is the disease of the mind.” ~ by Seng-T’san

Splitting everything into two’s... love/hate, beautiful/ugly, good/bad, etc. is an aspect of left-brain analysis - the judging ego. But it’s in quite the opposite direction to the spiritual tendency to accept without conditions - the loving compassion that recognizes oneness. Oneness and separation also make a whole; neither are therefore ‘good’ or bad’ as such, they are part of the human condition that we incarnate to experience.

“I have decided to stick with love... Hate is too great a burden to bear.” ~ by Martin Luther King, Jr

Hate, anger and resentment are heavy walls we erect, which destroy our peace of mind and limit our reach. Love has no such liabilities; it is empowering and liberating.

Accompanying article:When To Let Go ~ by Deepak Chopra
The crucial times to let go are when you feel the strongest urge not to. We all hold on tightest when our fear, anger, pride, and distrust take over. Yet these forces have no spiritual validity.

“True meditation is about being fully present with everything that is--including discomfort and challenges. It is not an escape from life.” ~ by Craig Hamilton

It’s rare to be fully awake, mindful and conscious through all the peaks and troughs of life, but meditation can help to develop that capacity.

Accompanying article:Why We Don’t Change and How We Can ~ by Craig Hamilton
Why is it that so few of us get the results our spiritual practices are designed to deliver? I would like to suggest that the supreme and lofty goal of profound, life-transforming spiritual liberation is not only possible in this lifetime, but is in fact well within reach for anyone of reasonably sound mind and stable character. But the reason it is not happening for the vast majority of those who are seeking it is that...

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.” ~ by Sam Keen

Then we see they are perfect just as they are; like a flower, each one unique and special. Who would want such a person to be other than they are?

Accompanying article:What’s in Your Heart? ~ by Rick Hanson
Sometimes people worry that being loving will make them vulnerable or drained. But actually, you can see in your own experience that love itself doesn’t do this: it protects and nurtures you when you give it. While you’re loving, don’t you feel uplifted and stronger?

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ~ by Mother Teresa

Life takes place right now, the only moment that truly exists, outside of memories and expectations. “There’s no time like now,” because creation happens in the Now.

Accompanying article:How to Be Outrageously Happy ~ by Jafree Ozwald
The more present you can be in whatever action you’re doing, the more you’ll be absorbed by the NOW moment. When this happens you instantly access your true divine nature, your real authentic self, where you stop worrying about the past or future completely.

“Strong ideas, loosely held. That’s the path to success.” ~ by John Gruber

If we follow a path too single-mindedly, we can fail to see if it’s leading the wrong way. Be determined but always retain an open mind; there may be a better way to arrive at your goal.

Accompanying article:Two Sides To Every Story ~ by Linda Sapadin
Of course you’re smart enough to know that there are two sides to every story. But is that what you’re focused on when you’re in the midst of a heated argument? I doubt it!

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” ~ by Plato

In play, the barriers come down. Emotions are raw and unfiltered, the real person comes through. A bit like when you wake someone up; how do they respond before they have had time to put on their social mask.

Accompanying article:Are You Controlling? (Quiz) ~ by Deepak Chopra
How much resistance are you in now? Our psychological defenses are extremely good at hiding this from us; by definition, stored-up emotions are the ones we can’t feel. However, resistance gives rise to a telltale behavior pattern - control.

“In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is.” ~ by Yogi Berra

We learn better from putting principles into practice, with all the inevitable mistakes, than from any amount of theory on its own. Education works alongside training to develop skills. An Arabic proverb: “Ask the experienced rather than the learned.”

Accompanying article:Training and Education Lead to Prosperity ~ by Dr. Alan Zimmerman
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. To all those people and organizations who want to cut back on their education and motivation, you would be well advised to listen to the words of the great philosopher Aristotle. Even though he penned these words more than 2000 years ago, they still ring true today. He said, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” In other words, it may cost you some time and money to keep on learning, but the results are always worth it.

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” ~ by Peace Pilgrim

I feel this positive approach is empowered by the love that is the nature of our being, and is effective in creating peace and happiness. The alternative - applying resistance, judgment, antagonism and hatred - is to be ruled by fear, which is to deny one’s essence, and has the effect of empowering that which one opposes.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive.” ~ by Dr. Howard Thurman

True life purpose, which lights the fire in your heart, is always aligned with the common good.

Accompanying article:How Do You Really Feel About Yourself? ~ by Joyce Shafer
Self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-love and acceptance are about the level of belief you have in yourself, which comes from knowing yourself. If these are low, there’s a good reason: your true identify was messed with.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ~ by Antoine de Saint Expury

Are we stealing our children’s future? Are we willing to be the generation that will shoulder the responsibility of paying back for the generations that have passed away?

Accompanying article:Jem and Coral ~ Introduction to the book by Chantal Heaven
The theme is... “A loving heart can help cure the ills of this world.” It is a parable about mankind’s relationship with the natural world and the need to work with nature in order to protect, nurture and maintain the world’s fragile eco-system. The novel is aimed at those aged 12 to 18 - plus all those adults who are still young at heart - and looks at the challenges of youth and the fight to preserve nature in an ever more complex and inhumane world.

“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” ~ by Victor Frankl

“I can’t stand this awful rainy weather” or “Just what we need, nice bit of rain to freshen things up.” Attitude, and our power to choose our response, is everything. Frankl was able to find motivation to survive in circumstances where most could see no sign of hope.

Accompanying article:Does Your Attitude Have You Stuck? ~ by Joyce Shafer
Your choice of thoughts and words are influenced by your attitude, and your attitude is influenced by your thoughts and words, a sort of yin/yang situation. Stay the same, and you travel in a circle or loop. Tweak this, and you leave the loop for the evolving spiral that can carry you forward.

“Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been erected to a critic.” ~ by Jean Sibelius

Hard to have have empathy for a person who would enjoy picking holes in another person’s creations. But some offer their opinions helpfully and constructively, and their insight is valued.

A no-risk person achieves little and is a stranger to fulfillment. That’s too high a price.

Accompanying article:The Dilemma
Only a person who takes risks is FREE.

“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” ~ by Mother Teresa

Without giving and receiving love, our life is barren. Fortunately, we can turn this around by starting to be generous with compassion and understanding, first and foremost with ourselves. We are made of love, we can do it.

Accompanying article:Love and Freedom ~ by Harold W. Becker
What we do each moment has a powerful impact on life. Each choice we make, and each we ignore, adds to the collective experience. Where we place our attention and what we contemplate becomes our reality. The power of our mind is amazing, yet nothing compares to what we can do when we come from our heart.

“To manage our emotions is not to drug them or suppress them, but to understand them so that we can intelligently direct our emotional energies and intentions.... It’s time for human beings to grow up emotionally, to mature into emotionally managed and responsible citizens. No magic pill will do it.” ~ by Doc Childre

If we are willing to experience painful emotions completely, without resistance of any kind, after a short while - and if we are willing to let them go - they dissolve. We are more likely to want to embrace positive emotions, however, since they empower enthusiastic action, understanding, compassion and love.

Accompanying PDF download:The Power of Emotion ~ by Institute of HeartMath
Doc Childre founded the Institute of HeartMath, leading research into the power of emotions and heart-centered consciousness. In this booklet, you will learn about emotions that lead to judgments and blame, and emotions that take us beyond the “blame game” to insight and resolution. The “blame game” runs society, causing untold stress. With a little understanding of how to direct the power of emotion, we can find new solutions to our problems and more joy in life.

“By starving emotions we become humorless, rigid and stereotyped; by repressing them we become literal, reformatory and holier-than-thou; encouraged, they perfume life; discouraged, they poison it.” ~ by Joseph Collins

Many of us believe that we need to keep a tight lid on our emotions. We fear that if we ever allow these emotions to be expressed, they will do harm - the painful ones will be overwhelming to experience or lead us to bad behavior; the positive ones won’t last and they’ll leave us with a loss, another painful emotion. The only thing that keeps painful or unwanted emotions alive within you over long periods (whether conscious or subconscious) is unwillingness to acknowledge them, experience them, accept them and then let them go. Resistance just leads to persistence. Besides, we’re missing out: emotions are the life energy of experience, and when we suppress emotions we also make intuitive knowing inaccessible since both pass through the right brain.

Accompanying article:Letting Go Emotionally ~ by Deepak Chopra
There is a law in the unconscious that whatever you avoid will come back, and the more you avoid it, the stronger its return. Painful emotions don’t come back for external reasons. They return because they are part of you; you created them before pushing them away. Every emotion you experience is yours.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” ~ by Winston Churchill

Why courage to listen? Because we are opening up to alternative ideas and as a result our precious beliefs and fixed ideas may be threatened and our ego rightness put in question. But without genuine listening there is no chance of real progress being made. Great men and women - and our best leaders - are not afraid to speak from the heart nor to listen generously.

Accompanying article:The Right to Lead ~ by John Maxwell
What gives a man or woman the right to lead? It certainly isn’t gained by election or appointment. Having position, title, rank or degrees doesn’t qualify anyone to lead other people. And the ability doesn’t come automatically from age or experience, either. No, it would be accurate to say that no one can be given the right to lead. The right to lead can only be earned.

“Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” ~ by James Thurber

Another take on being in the moment, with a quiet mind. Meditation sessions help, but the best meditation is when you practice being mindful as you go about your daily life, with all the buttons that presses. And it’s not to suppress the response, it’s to simply recognize and accept what actually is, without resistance, and let those fears and resentments just float on down the river of time and out of your life.

Accompanying article:Spiritual Medicine ~ by Karen Wright
The problems that confront us - the large ones that assault our core beliefs and the minor ones that engulf us like swarming mosquitoes - these are our spiritual medicines. How so? The situations we face that we don’t want are truly just situations - neither good or bad. It is WE who label them good or bad and then react to the label we just bestowed.

“Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.” ~ by Vince Lombardi

It’s easy to be discouraged by failures and even to consider them inevitable. What one needs to remember is that success is indeed usually preceded by failures along the way, as those are the learning experiences that enable the breakthroughs, but if you quit you don’t get to find that out.

Accompanying article:Five Steps to the Future You Desire ~ by Philip Humbert
We have dreams and goals, we want “more” and we hope the future will be better than the present. We want great things for ourselves, and better things for our children. And yet, we forget that every day--right now as you read this--we are creating our future.

“If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn’t have opened for anyone else.” ~ by Joseph Campbell

What you attract reflects your unique image. When you know what you want and that light shines brightly, so will your opportunity.

“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized, cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” ~ by Martin Luther King

Dignity reflects how you value yourself, your self-respect, and does not depend on what anyone else thinks. Do what you know and feel is right and you’ll always have dignity, which others will come to respect even if they don’t at the moment.

“The Earth is beautiful. If you start living its beauty, enjoying its joys with no guilt in your heart, you are in paradise. If you condemn everything, every small joy, then the same Earth turns into a hell. It is a question of your own inner transformation. It is not a change of place, it is a change of inner space. Live joyously, guiltlessly, live totally, live intensely. And then heaven is no more a metaphysical concept, it is your own experience.” ~ by Osho

“It’s not our abilities that show who we truly are, it is our choices.” ~ by Prof. Dumbledore

We can do, perhaps... but will we? Plenty of capable people are more in touch with their fears than with their passion and compassion, and their actions therefore do not reflect their true nature. Harry Potter knew himself well enough - had the integrity - to never flinch from his responsibilities.

Accompanying article:Love is a Choice ~ by Harold W. Becker
In these amazing times of great change, we are faced with an overwhelming amount of choices on all levels of significance. In order to make clear decisions in line with our personal goals and highest good, it is important to maintain our inner balance and harmonious center point. That source of genuine strength, wisdom and ultimate potential is held within us every moment as unconditional love.

“I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul.” ~ by Rumi

You need books and stars to understand the world, but when it comes to you, and spiritual truth in general, the answers are to be found within.

Accompanying article:Reconnect with the Real You! ~ by Stephanie Marston
It’s time to remember what’s most important in your life. It’s time to remember your hopes, and dreams. It’s time to discover your deepest yearnings. Yet in order to do this you must embark on a psychological search-and rescue mission to comb back through your life and recover your joy, wisdom, passion, enthusiasm, self-confidence, vitality-the threads of your true self you lost along the way.

“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It’s the measles of humanity.” ~ by Albert Einstein

The illusion is that your country defines who you are... or your company, your profession, your town, your team. The reality is that finding out who you are requires self-searching and self-knowledge. You are more than any identification.

Accompanying article:Identities that Poison the Soul ~ by Ken Wert
We often put stock in things that undermine our own lives. Believing the insignificant to be significant undermines opportunity, confidence and happiness. It will be that proverbial poison that shuts down the immune system, corrupting heart, mind and soul as it spreads through your psychology as you drink of the following poisons of identity.

“Be your own best friend and you will have a friend for life.” ~ by Harold Becker

Same for opponent and critic, or on the other hand supporter and listener... they stick with you. The reactive ego tends to be negative, the mindful presence to be positive. Which is the shadow of fearful others? And which is the true you?

Accompanying article:Unconditional Gratitude ~ by Harold W. Becker
When we remain present in the moment and embrace the good with the less than good, we are coming from our heart that knows all is in order. In these moments, we notice the truly important things and allow our journey to be one of experiences without the judgment of right or wrong, good or bad. This automatically places us in a higher understanding of life that incorporates the big picture.

“Close your eyes, fall in love, stay there...” ~ by Rumi

Practice until easy. Then one step further...Make that love unconditional (no judgment, includes one and all) and you’ve found your spiritual home.

“The death drums are beating... if it’s not now it’s never.” ~ by Dean Roberts

At the edge of catastrophe, action now is essential for survival and growth. There are many such situations in the ecologies, economies and politics world-wide... the courage to act must derive from our sense of connection and caring. We each have a responsibility to find ways in which we can make a difference; this includes senior citizens, who have retired from their career and whose wisdom and experience are so much needed.

Accompanying article:A call to duty ~ by Dean Roberts
Looking through the lens of the heart, everything has a different perspective. Instead of providing an understanding of the emerging New Reality from a simply intellectual viewpoint, this lens engages your higher feelings and the New Reality becomes a personal experience, not just a mental concept.

“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind!” ~ by William James

Attitude is everything and a change of mind away. But that jump for many is a wide chasm. It takes courage to drop the safe solutions of the past and try new ways, to break conformity and the expectations of others - and it takes persistence to gradually install new habits and ways of being. And we’d better remain flexible and open-minded, or we jump from a frying pan into the fire.

Accompanying article:How To Keep A Positive Attitude ... When You Don’t Feel Like It ~ by Dr. Alan Zimmerman
There simply is no substitute for a positive attitude. It keeps you going when others quit. It releases an abundance of energy ... an energy you don’t even know you have ... and gets you through the toughest times. As novelist Karen Traviss puts it, “Faith keeps you going when there’s no logical reason to. In its way, it keeps life going.”

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” ~ by Johann van Goethe

It’s easy to agree. So easy to just say “Yes.” But then the tricky bit... That requires motivation that is true to your soul: who you really are, and what you really want. Get a clear picture of that and then action will naturally follow. Otherwise life just stays the same.

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” ~ by Bill Cosby

How often do you strive to keep everyone happy? How often do you end up feeling resentful and tired, as if everyone’s needs and desires matter apart from yours? It’s possible to spread yourself so far and wide so that nothing’s left for you. Instead, try making your needs known, first and most importantly to yourself. Put those needs first and then you will be far more empowered to be of service to others.

Accompanying article:The Craving for Approval ~ by Peter Murphy
When you constantly seek outside approval and are willing to do nearly anything to obtain it, you’ll find yourself feeling empty and invalidated. In other words, you’re questing after a prize that will never bring you a complete sense of satisfaction. Knowing who you are and valuing what you have to offer as a friend, family member, employee, neighbor or colleague is much healthier.

“Life is not discovery of fate; it is continuous creation of future, through choices of thoughts and actions in the present.” ~ by Sanjay Sahay

All too often we find ourselves trapped in the unhappiness and bitterness of our past, which impact in turn on the here and now. If we want to make positive changes, the first step is to choose to become what we want to be. And then act on it.

Accompanying article:Questions to Ponder ~ by Charlie Badenhop
Have you noticed that you tend to have an habitual way of responding to the world that stops you from responding in a more solution oriented manner? How would changing your beliefs change some of your habits?

“Find happiness by enjoying the journey, not by awaiting the destination.” ~ by Peter Shepherd

Gratitude is the key to happiness, whatever the circumstances. Appreciating all that is, the flow of the moment, the magic of being here, the gift of others… that’s enough.

Accompanying article:The Art of Receiving ~ by Dr. Neala Peake
It takes energy to give, and it takes energy to refuse the kindness and giving nature of others. When we allow our beings and souls to be fed by the world around us, then and only then can we give.

“Differences in religious beliefs, politics, social status, and position are all secondary. When we look at someone with compassion, we are able to see beyond these secondary differences and connect to the primary essence that binds all humans together as one.” ~ by Dalai Lama

Like the Hindu greeting “Namaste,” which Ram Dass translates... “I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, and of peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.” Wouldn’t it be absolutely amazing if we could relate to every person who comes into our lives in this way?

Accompanying article:Compassionate Listening ~ by Dr. Steven Farmer
Incorporating these very simple steps into your daily interactions with others can bring profound changes in your relationships and happiness and peace for all involved...

“Many a truth is told in jest.” ~ by Jonathan Swift

We project on others what we try not to think about or are keeping secret ourselves. The truth that we find hard to suppress just slips out easier that way, especially in the context of a joke at another’s expense. On the esoteric side, this is similar to how imagination is often based on past-life experiences.

Accompanying article:The Relationship Mirror ~ by Jafree Ozwald
Relationships serve you like the most perfect armor piercing mirror and here’s how: Eventually after you feel comfortable with someone, the guard inside you comes down. You start to really relax, be your real self and stop trying to interact in a way that is socially acceptable. Sometimes it takes hundreds of hours with another human being before this happens, yet eventually it does and the deep dark issues start to bubble up to be seen.

Open minds, I would add, encompass all these dimensions and try to obtain some much-needed perspective to the people, events, and ideas that shape the world around us; to help make sense of the complexity, anxiety, and turbulence that surrounds our lives; and to create new initiatives that help evolve the world in a better direction.

“Don’t give up on your dream because it is not going in the direction you want. There are different routes to the same destination. Stay focused and determined.” ~ by Janice Harris

Believe without doubt and it will happen; that is manifestation. Because you believe, you join in, you do your part, you take responsibility in oneness with life. You embrace the vision with love; and this light exposes your fears as unnecessary, so any doubts are released.

Accompanying article:Top 5 Regrets of the Dying ~ by Bronnie Ware
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

“To forgive yourself, you have to find a way forward. You can say, ‘I’m going to work to improve myself so I never hurt another person that way.’ And then you need to atone, to make the lesson you learned mean something. Do this, and you will be able to look in the mirror again.” ~ by Jennifer Thompson

Forgiveness means letting go of anger and resentment... because who do they hurt, really, other than oneself? Compassion then naturally fills the place of judgment.

Accompanying article:Forgiveness - Breaking the Cycle of Resentment ~ by Lori Radun
Each of us makes mistakes in life. At one time or another (probably more than one time), we will hurt another person. Maybe it will be an accident, or perhaps it will be a purposeful reaction to someone hurting you. When this does happen, do you want to be forgiven? Do you want another chance to make amends?

“We’re a block from a hospital, so in my 31 years here I’ve met many people who’ve just received bad news. If you see someone in distress, don’t hesitate to talk to them. Once you’ve heard their story, sometimes all you have to say is ‘I’ll be thinking of you.’ Your words are more powerful than you think.” ~ by Jimmy Vecere

Comforting someone, by simply listening and caring, is something we can all do. We can also do a whole lot more to express ourselves in loving service but we may lack the confidence, inspiration, contacts or know-how... However, it’s never too late to remake your life so that at the end you can answer, “Did I really live? Did I really love? Did I really matter?” with “YES!!”

Accompanying article:Are You One of the Walking Emotionally Wounded? ~ by Joyce Shafer
We can decide to continue as we have been or to heal, starting with ourselves. Our own Self healing practice will create healing ripples in our familial, local, and global communities. We have to start sometime, somewhere. Why not here and now? It’s a good practice, one you’ll appreciate.

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” ~ by Alan Kay

This clearly applies in the world of technology, but also to ourselves. We can develop, evolve and remake ourselves so that new things are possible..

Accompanying article:Celebrating Your Greatness in 2013 ~ by Philip Humbert
The start of a new year is traditionally a time for taking inventory and committing to new and better things in the year ahead. Rather than “resolutions,” I prefer to make plans, design strategies, make clear commitments, and then execute them on a daily basis. It works better for me.

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” ~ by Plato

The truth threatens the status quo, it threatens to expose our hiding hole, it threatens our old solutions, it may threaten our profits and vested interests; above all it exposes our ignorance, and therefore threatens our authority.

Accompanying article:I Am, Therefore I Think ~ by Gangaji
Gangaji guides readers in recognizing that while their life stories follow universal patterns of human suffering, by uncovering and speaking the truth of these stories, they can open the doorway to the possibility of living freely and in truth.

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.” ~ by M. Scott Peck

When you have nothing more to lose, when the old ways have arrived at a brick wall, it provides a kind of freedom: a period when you can finally afford to change, to look at things completely afresh, and indeed transform your life for the better. It’s happened to me several times and I’m grateful.

Accompanying download:“The Ituri Forest”
Chantal Heaven is married to a cousin of mine, and I recently met both of them at a delightful family gathering over Christmas; plus I learned that Chantal subscribes to our daily quotes service! Chantal teaches Drama and English part-time but tells me she has always written vast tomes of unpublished ‘fiction’ plus published non-fiction in the days when she worked as a sub-editor in the furnace of Fleet Street back in the 1980s. Chantal has kindly made a short story called The Ituri Forest available for us to download... It’s a moving picture of one of those “couldn’t be worse” times that we do, indeed, recover from and hopefully learn a lot and become stronger.

“Being negative is easy. There will always be a downside to everything good, a hurdle to everything desirable, a con to every pro. The real courage is in finding the good in what you have, the opportunities in every hurdle, the pros in every con.” ~ by Carolyn Hax

Optimism is required for any kind of achievement... otherwise, why even start? Your vision provides inspiration and energy. Pessimists have neither. Living in a dream, on the other hand, is unproductive - one needs to continually compare current reality with the vision, as that shows what remains to do. And equally important, compare the current reality with where you began, as that shows what’s been achieved.

Accompanying article:Practical Happiness: A Goal for 2013 ~ by Philip Humbert
I’ve always figured that if I have several thousand great DAYS in a row, one after another, that may be pretty darn close to living a great life. Something like that seems to go on with happiness, too. Being happy for 10,000 days in a row seems pretty darn close to being a happy person and living a happy life!

“If we center ourselves within the heart chakra and control our thoughts, we can find the balance and harmony in every situation.” ~ by Laurie Bain

As you know, this is close to my personal philosophy of life, “Be true to your core self, and therefore guided by love and intuitive inner knowing,” and it’s working so very well for me. I wish for you too.

Accompanying article:Choosing Love Over Fear ~ by Gabriella Kortsch, Ph.D.
Choose love. Choose it for you, your loved ones, your neighbourhood, your community, your nation and your world. We are all in this together and we can all contribute to making this change. All it takes is all of us choosing love over fear. Remember that we are all one and that what affects one of us, affects us all.

“By starving emotions we become humorless, rigid and stereotyped; by repressing them we become literal, reformatory and holier-than-thou; encouraged, they perfume life; discouraged, they poison it.” ~ by Joseph Collins

John Robson comments… Many of us believe that we need to keep a tight lid on our emotions. We fear that if we ever allow these emotions to be expressed, they will do serious damage. The only thing that keeps emotions alive within you over long periods is your unwillingness to acknowledge them.

“To manage our emotions is not to drug them or suppress them, but to understand them so that we can intelligently direct our emotional energies and intentions.... It’s time for human beings to grow up emotionally, to mature into emotionally managed and responsible citizens. No magic pill will do it.” ~ Doc Childre

If we summon up the courage to truly feel our emotions, we discover that they don’t last. The monster in the closet turns out to be a pussycat. In fact, if we are willing to experience our emotions completely, without resistance of any kind, they burn themselves out in only a few minutes. Discover a whole new way of working with life’s challenges with the Higher Awareness online Self Healing Workbook with 30 days of email support. Clear blocks and transform your life.

Accompanying article:Talking to Yourself - A Sign of Sanity ~ by Dr. Linda Sapadin
Whether you’re living by yourself or living with others, you’re always living with yourself. So, don’t leave yourself out of the equation. Converse, chatter, communicate respectfully with yourself. It’s not a sign of insanity. It’s a sign of good health.

“I believe you can have a much better life if you are true to your core self, and therefore guided by love and intuitive inner knowing.” ~ by Peter Shepherd

We have nothing to fear from the changing times, so long as we remain mindful of our spiritual connection with the universe and all consciousness. That connection is made of empathy, understanding and compassion. With love in our hearts and an open mind we can never go wrong.

Accompanying article:Get the Gateway Right!? ~ by Owen Waters
The reality is that the 2012 gateway is the time of a brilliant new dawn. The only things that will end with the emerging new light are some very outmoded ways of thinking.

“Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path... exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love.” ~ by Caroline Adams

The way I perceive it, the opening of heart chakras that has already begun in 2012 will expand to an opening of the crown chakra for many people, enabling them to ascend their vibrations if they have pure intent. This could really open up the game as manifestation will ‘work’ more easily and such ascended people will have great influence toward a better world.

So continue to open your heart at every opportunity as Caroline Adams suggests; recognize the gains you have made on your journey; anticipate the increased effect you will be able to create in manifesting your purpose; and get together with supportive friends to celebrate this new potential. All power to you!

Accompanying article:The Truth About Galactic Alignment ~ by Edwin Harkness Spina
Much has been written about December 21, 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar. Most people recognize that it does not mark the end of the world, but rather the disintegration of outmoded ways of thinking and the beginning of a new heart-centered consciousness. It is a gradual process.

“Feelings of worth can flourish only in an atmosphere where individual differences are appreciated, mistakes are tolerated, communication is open, and rules are flexible -- the kind of atmosphere that is found in a nurturing family.” ~ by Virginia Satir

There’s nothing like the security of an understanding and empathic ear, and it’s even more special when that can be found within the family.

Accompanying article:Help Your Children Grow Into Exceptional Adults ~ by Gabriella Kortsch, Ph.D.
You have so many gifts to give your child. No one expects you to be perfect. But you can start the road towards the goal of growth, self awareness, and loving yourself by beginning today with the first step. That first step is simply remembering to be conscious, and when you forget, forgiving yourself for forgetting, but praising yourself for at least having remembered that you forgot to remember to be conscious. And then doing it all over again...

“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.” ~ by Linus Pauling

Just get ‘em out there, and that will unblock the way for true inspiration to strike.

Accompanying article:The Power of Ideas ~ by Chuck Gallozzi
Treasure new ideas, for once we gain new insight, we never see the world the same way. To expand your horizon and elevate your consciousness, all you have to do is be receptive. Reach out and embrace the ideas that surround you and are ignored by others.

“Dare to ask the universe, for every solution you seek is out there waiting to be invited into your life.” ~ by Rick Beneteau

There’s always a solution, and usually it simply requires perceiving what IS with new eyes, an open mind.

Accompanying article:Courage in the Age of Fear ~ by Philip E. Humbert, PhD
Live the life you truly want and leave the small thinking, the fear and hesitancy to others. Resolve to do one thing that makes you happy, and do it today! Laugh more. Love more. Have more fun and live with more daring!

“Just as each snowflake is unique, so is each person. Your primary purpose in life is to experience life from one individual, unique point of view. You are an expression of Infinite Being as it experiences itself from all possible viewpoints.” ~ by Owen Waters

Like the man who was aware of being one with the whole universe... He said, “Wow, I get it,” but then realized that he was only a grain of sand as soon as the ‘I’ showed up. You are God when you don’t think you are God; when you are simply in your heart and silent, you are in all hearts, all cells, all atoms, all spaces, all times.

Accompanying article:Alone In A Crowd ~ by Owen K Waters
The Christmas and New Year’s Holidays are often a time of gathering together for friends and relatives. The holidays can also be a time when spiritually-aware people feel a certain aloneness, even in the midst of a crowd.

“The New Reality exists in heart-centered consciousness, focusing on cooperation and the higher qualities of life. True wealth comes from enlightenment, peace, and purpose.” ~ by Owen Waters

The New Reality is the state of consciousness that Owen envisions humanity as a whole is starting to move into, in these times, influenced and lead by those who shine the light of unconditional love from their hearts.

Accompanying article:True Wealth ~ by Owen K Waters
Old Reality consciousness was based in the solar plexus chakra, focusing on competition and the development of basic intellect. In the Old Reality, the pursuit of wealth had a purely financial focus which resulted in a predictable set of experiences about life.

“Discover the power of your imagination. It is your God-given creative faculty.” ~ by Owen Waters

Owen comments: For countless generations, people have been disempowered by the idea that, “It’s only your imagination.” This demeaning action against your greatest God-given creative power takes the spark out of life. It turns people into sheeple who spend their lives meekly following somebody else’s idea of what they should be doing. With the creative power of your imagination, you can reach for your greatest potential and fill your life with an amazing sense of achievement.

Accompanying article:Gaining Intuitive Insights ~ by Owen K Waters
Be more aware of your own intuitive information. Be open to it. Then, it will flow right into your conscious mind along with the visual information that your conscious mind is receiving. The power of intuition works to give you all the insights and inside information that you need to make a great success out of everything you seek to achieve.

“With spiritual faith, your heart and mind open up and guide you in your search for personal truth. Faith in the spirituality of life is what makes your spiritual path possible.” ~ by Owen Waters

Faith in this context means giving new possibilities enough hope and conviction that they have the time and opportunity to prove themselves out in your life.

Accompanying article:Spiritual Faith ~ by Owen K Waters
Faith in the spirituality of life is what makes your spiritual path possible. With spiritual faith - an open heart and an open mind - we can discover more about today’s New Reality and what it means to humanity. Discovering more about life expands our view of reality and evolves our belief systems.

“The Shift is a collective transformation consisting of the sum of each individual’s step into the New Reality. Each person, in their own time, is moving forward into a stage of consciousness which brings a wider vista and an awareness which springs from the heart.” ~ by Owen Waters

Due to an influx of energies from the centre of our galaxy, because of the astrological alignment on December 21st, I believe the opening of heart chakras that has already begun in 2012 will expand to an opening of the crown chakra for many people, enabling them to ascend their vibrations if they have pure intent. This could really open up the game as manifestation will ‘work’ more easily and such ascended people will have great influence toward a better world. That’s the promise of December 21st: as Owen Waters calls it, the Shift.

Life reflects the way you are; if you want a better life, make more of your potential.

Accompanying article:Nothing Will Change Until You Do! ~ by Philip Humbert
Many of us are using really dumb strategies. We have goals or desires or dreams, but we are pursuing them with strategies that have almost no chance of success. And yet, too often, we keep on doing the same things in the same ways, year after year. That’s probably not very smart.

“Every lesson is a widening and deepening of consciousness. It is a stretching of the mind beyond its conceptual limits and a stretching of the heart beyond its emotional boundaries. It is a bringing of unconscious material into consciousness, a healing of past wounds, and a discovery of new faith and trust.” ~ by Paul Ferrini

We can grow and evolve and open up... or try to remain in the same familiar territory. If that choice is ruled by fear, though, we become a shadow of our true selves and can say goodbye to an adventurous, fulfilling life.

Accompanying article:Extraordinary Success Comes With the Right Beliefs ~ by Dr. Alan Zimmerman
Take a moment to identify some of your self-limiting beliefs. What beliefs do you have that are holding you back? Think about them. Remember, most of your self-limiting beliefs have no basis whatsoever in fact. They are based on information and ideas that you accepted as true, sometimes in early childhood, and to the degree you believe them, they are holding you back.

“When we feel stuck, going nowhere, even starting to slip backward... we may actually be backing up to get a running start.” ~ by Dan Millman

The blocks along the way have a purpose; they give us a moment to get our breath back, to learn from what’s happened and to reassess the best path to go forward; and to realize again why we are on this path. Our vision renewed will inspire and energize us.

Accompanying article:Look Back to See How Far You Have Come ~ by Betsy Chasse
Breathe and be patient. Sit still and quiet your mind. It is when you create silence that you will see the beliefs and programming that have been holding you hostage. Ask yourself, “Are they serving me?”

“The smallest change in perspective can transform a life. What tiny attitude adjustment might turn your world around?” ~ by Oprah

To change, shift your perspective... put an issue far into the past or future, or look at it through someone else’s eyes. Notice each of your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness, and fears... each one, just let it go, change your mind, you don’t need it any more.

Accompanying article:How to Transform Your Tears Into Laughter ~ by Jafree Ozwald
When your deepest sadness is welcomed and fully felt, it can empty out your entire basement of horrors. All the incomplete feelings you’ve had in your life of being abandoned, betrayed, lonely, lost, or isolated can come flooding through. By opening up to your emotional basement you bring the light of awareness into the darkness.

“Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people’s souls.” ~ by Melody Beattie

The heart is where the soul resides, and its essential quality is love. The lessons of love, i.e. universal truth, are to be found there... and other people will understand as they see their reflection in you.

Accompanying article:The Stranger Who Changed My Life ~ by Dan Robey
I have a saying that goes like this: “There are over 6 billion people on this planet and I can learn something new from EVERY ONE OF THE THEM including strangers.” It is a true statement, you can learn something new from everyone on the planet... but only if you put forth the effort.